| No. 4. 912 Hamlin, the basement: Jill Gillespie Last spring, when Jill Gillespie called the landlord at 912 Hamlin, he told her she "wouldn't even want to look at the basement." Apparently, this lower-level apartment would've been a suitable candidate for the trashy side of this contest. However, after a new kitchen was installed, Gillespie moved in. Since then, she has painted Coca-Cola murals on the kitchen walls, transforming a humdrum room into an art show. Who knew Coke logos (and basement kitchens) could look so hip?
No. 3. 1020 Dempster: Bice Holden Down on Dempster and Oak, Bice Holden has remodeled an ordinary, white-walled bedroom into an intimate space styled after a Moroccan tea-house. She has created a canopy-style bed by hanging orange and pink silk sari material from her ceiling. The painting hanging over the bed was nabbed from an old landlord who was about to throw it away. One look at Holden's room and you'll quickly realize just how boring your own bedroom really is.
No. 2. 2013 Ridge, "The Co-op": Ryan DuVal At first glance, I thought this was just a poster DuVal had taped to the wall above his bed. Upon closer inspection, however, I realized what he had really done – a highly-detailed painting, an exact replica of a Frederick Church landscape. About the painting process, DuVal says he "just worked on it on and off throughout fall quarter" during his "free time." (I watch E! entertainment television in my free time.) Of course, this isn't the first time one of DuVal's projects has garnered attention from the press. During his sophomore year in 1998, DuVal received national attention for the controversy surrounding his rendition of the Sistine Chapel, which he had painted on the ceiling of his Bobb-McCulloch dorm room. The saga between DuVal and NU's housing administrators – over the forced removal of the painting – was followed by NPR, The Discovery Channel, BBC, People Magazine and, most impressively, The National Enquirer.
No. 1. 912 Hamlin, first floor: Dave Pakula, Derek Supple, and Jeremy Thal Every time I've been at a party at 912 Hamlin, I've overheard the same thing: "Whoa, they have a bar in here." Simply put, this bar is cool. When Eric Lohmueller, a recent NU grad, and Dave Pakula decided they wanted to build a bar, they spared no expenses. What they built is a structure rivaling that of any commercial pub, highlighted by a custom "912" tap on their fully-functioning keggerator. At most parties, Pakula is behind the bar, taking drink orders. When he gets tired, some happily-buzzed patron is always willing to take over. Believe me, waiting for a drink here is much more fun than getting body-slammed by a sweaty freshman girl in line for a keg beer.
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